'A threat to public safety:' Judge upholds ex-York College student's sentence for rape
Ethan Rippey, 23, of Westminster, Maryland, had argued in a post-sentence motion that the court handed down an excessive sentence.
'A threat to public safety:' Judge upholds ex-York College student's sentence for rape Ethan Rippey, 23, of Westminster, Maryland, had argued in a post-sentence motion that the court handed down an excessive sentence. Check out this story on ydr.com: https://www.ydr.com/story/news/crime/2019/03/25/judge-upholds-prison-sentence-rape-ex-york-college-student/3245492002/
Dylan Segelbaum, York Daily Record Published 1:06 p.m. ET March 25, 2019 | Updated 1:45 p.m. ET March 25, 2019
Ethan Rippey, 23, of Westminster, Maryland, had argued in a post-sentence motion that court did not consider his rehabilitative needs and handed down an unduly excessive sentence.
A former York College student who raped a classmate in a case that a judge remarked demonstrated "cruelty on a breathtaking scale" will continue to serve 17 to 34 years in prison.
Ethan Rippey, 23, of Westminster, Maryland. (Photo: Submitted)
Common Pleas Judge Craig T. Treiblcock on Monday denied a post-sentence motion from Ethan Rippey, 23, of Westminster, Maryland, who was found guilty of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and simple assault. He had argued that the court did not consider his rehabilitative needs and handed down an unduly excessive punishment.
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"The court has a strong concern that Mr. Rippey is a threat to public safety," Trebilcock said. "Accordingly, having considered all of these matters and factors, the court denies the defense request."
On Aug. 21, 2016, Rippey held down a woman at his home on West Jackson Street, raped her and then laughed about the attack. A forensic nurse later testified that out of 270 examinations that she'd done in her career, she documented the most injuries on the survivor.
READ: York County man wanted for rape and kidnapping, police say
Diana Spurlin, Rippey's attorney, mostly rested on the arguments that she set out in the post-sentence motion.
The law is clear that a judge can go outside the sentencing guidelines if he or she articulates the reasons and considers certain factors, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Kara Bowser said.
Trebilcock, she said, laid out the rationale for his sentence.
"It was appropriate based on all the circumstances of this case," Bowser said.
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Rippey plans to appeal his sentence and conviction to the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Contact Dylan Segelbaum at 717-771-2102.
Check out this photo gallery of York County's most wanted: (The photos and information published are provided by the York County Sheriff's Office. To report information on any of these individuals, call York County Crime Stoppers at 717-755-TIPS)
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